stern
Strict and serious, expecting to be obeyed.
stern in a sentence
- One stern look from the headteacher and the corridor fell silent.
- Dad's voice turned stern when he found muddy footprints all across the new carpet.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to stern?
- Akind
- Bgentle
- Cstrict
- Dsoft
Show the answer
C: strict. The other three mean the opposite of stern.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to stern?
- Afirm
- Bstrict
- Cgentle
- Dharsh
Show the answer
C: gentle. The other three mean nearly the same as stern.
Words that mean something similar
strict, firm, harsh
Words that mean the opposite
gentle, kind, soft
More words about character & personality
- stubborn: Refusing to change your mind, even when you might be wrong.
- tenacious: Holding on and refusing to give up.
- tentative: Careful and unsure, as if not quite confident yet.
- testy: Quick to become cross and impatient, especially when bothered.
- thrifty: Careful with money and never wasteful.
- timid: Shy and easily frightened.
- typical: Happening or behaving in the way you would expect.
- tyrant: A ruler who uses power in a cruel and unfair way.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test